The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-09

the waves poured over the stern like
cataract. For moment it seemed rs
if the whole vessel must go to pieces
at once; but no-she held firm, and
there was still chance for life.
But what was to be done next? They
We're indeed only very little way from
the land; but how were they to reach
it? The only plan was for some one to
swim ashore with rope; and this in
the teeth of the great seas that came
laundering in every moment, would
be as deadly venture as to charge
through shower of cannon-balls.
But help was at hand. The drifting
wreck had long since been deserted
from the shore, and suddenly bright
fash shot out from the brow of tho
cliff, and something like fiery star
came Kissing toward the stranded brig
through the darkness which the first
pale CLEAN of dawn was just beginning
to pierce. 1t was rocket with q rope
| attached to it.
Such was the fury of the storm that
the messenger of safety all but missed
its mark. The line fell just upon the
shattered bow, and would have drop
ped off into the sea in another instant
had not one of the sailors sprung for
ward and caught it, 1t was quickly
made fast, while those on shore secur-
| ed the other end, and the way Of es-
cape lay open.
In trice Captain Barrett had fas-
tened his wife and little Mary firmly
into the sling attached to the rope; and
all on board held their breath a0 the
two disappeared into the darkness,
drawn along that frail cord which look
ed as slender rs SPIDERS thread amid
the mountain waves that leaped and
CRASHED around like wild beasts. But
after suspense which seemed endless
to the anxious watchers on the wreck,
n cheer from the shore, family through
the roar of wind and wave, told that
the mother and child had got safely to
land.
THANK Godr' said the captain, fer
vently. "Now, lads, away you go; l
must be the last man aboard the poor
old craft, you know"
The men obeyed in grim silence.
One by one they were drawn to land,
and last of all came the captain him
self. But although he had borne up
bravcly till then, his overtaxed strength
gave was as soon as he reached the
shore, and down he fell in dead
faint.
When he came to himself again, he
was lying on the floor of fisherman s
: hut, and beside him sat Mrs. Barrett
with her child in her lap.
: "All right, Cap'n," said the old fish
erman, cheerily, helping him to rise;
"we'vc got your men safe, all twelve of
EN-" u
"And the boyP" cried Captain Bar
rett-"the little cabin-boy?"
1.-The boy?" echoed the old man,
| doubtfully. II didn't see no boy
| among EN-, nohow."
1 "What! is little Bill missingP" shout
4 ed the captain. 81 must go and see
about that at once.
Out he went that moment, weak
G though he was; and he soon fell i'll with
4 three or four Of his men, who, like him
e self coming out of the huts in which
q; they had been sheltered. But none OF
e them knew anything about Bill, and
L the captains heart was beginning IA
n sink, when somebody pulled him gen
i tly by the sleeve, and there stood the
missing boy, mutfled in a huge pilot
It coat,
Il 81 was just a-lookin' for you sin, y
n said Bill, touching his forelock.
+ "Why, where on earth ha, e you been
g my lad?' asked the captain. We al
= thought you were lost"
It "Wcll, you see, sir, jim Burrow.
h wrapped me in a tarpaulin, and hello
+ me in his arms while they pulled hin
;, ashore; and may be that's how they
k didn't see me. I've brought you SONG
Il thing from the wreck, though. Loo1
!, here.
> So saying, he produced from under
it his coat the captains little raccoon
II Zip, which, oyerjoyed at seeing it,
= master again, leapcd upon his broaC
o shoulders and rubbed its cold nos,
" against his face.
e II didn't forget him." said tho boy
e gleefuTly. II went down and got hin
up just afore we struck, and buttOne,
is him inside my jacket; and here he i
= all right and jolly"
<, Captain Barrett is an old man now
y but so long as he lives neither BiIbno
1. Zip will ever be far away from hiSt.
t. DGuid Her, in Harper'S YouSg People.